Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive.

Go for Soak!

Reno Tahoe is filled with warm vibes, including its abundant natural hot springs. The region’s geothermal energy brings the heat! If you’re up for a high-desert adventure in a rugged yet serene landscape, go off-grid in search of remote hot springs (they’re out there). If you’re more in the mood for a relaxing spa experience, find soothing soaks fed by nature’s mineral-rich springs at resorts with award-winning amenities.

Want to get right to the soak? Beeline for Carson Hot Springs or Steamboat Hot Springs, two local gems that are hot spots for convenience and divine suds with healing properties.

Back in town, many of Reno Tahoe’s resorts keep their hot tubs open year-round, so you’ve got a warm dreamscape at places like Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, where the outdoor pool is heated.

Reno Tahoe Hot Springs and Spas

What’s in Your (Ferris) Wheelhouse?

When it’s cold, Reno Tahoe understands the assignment: create fun times indoors, too! Head to The Outlets at Legends, just minutes east of Reno in the city of Sparks. Spacious outdoor fireplaces keep things cozy as you duck in and out of clothing, toy, and candy stores, with food and entertainment at your fingertips. Don’t miss the legendary multi-floor sporting goods store, Scheels, a main attraction. Employee-owned and filled with everything from adventure gear to toys and apparel, it also has aquariums and a real Ferris wheel. Ride on!

Wild & Wonderful in the West

Lakes, mountains, desert, beaches, rivers—Reno Tahoe’s very nature is like a living museum of all things wild and wonderful in the West. And as the gateway to Burning Man, it’s no surprise that art and creativity can be found everywhere, both outside and indoors.

Find art just by walking or biking around Reno, where public displays are in parks and on buildings. Reno is thoroughly modern but with a reverence for keeping nostalgia alive too—cue the neon signs, vibrant colors, and odes to past Burning Man sculptures like the Space Whale (which made a big splash in the desert).

Local museums are also a melting pot of the past and present. Visit the Nevada Museum of Art and take a guided tour through galleries. The museum also offers special programming such as workshops and hands-on experiences for kids. (Pro Tip: Register for the museum’s upcoming 2026 Art + Environment Summit in April.)

A Taste of Reno Tahoe

Get a taste of Reno’s signature styles—from kid-friendly places to eat and play mini-golf (a little Birdeez told you), to romantic restaurants by the river and casual spots with cuisine served family style.

Blending the old and the new, places like Louis’ Basque Corner in Reno are rejuvenating tradition with a contemporary influence. The exposed brick interior lends a modern vibe complemented by table settings that reflect a social atmosphere of shared dishes. The go-to drink here is the Picon Punch, spirited with a bitter orange Amer Picon ingredient.

Friendly atmospheres with plenty of flowing beers (and no-alcohol options) are a cornerstone staple in Reno Tahoe, with spots like the Brewer’s Cabinet (their “Tahoe” beers are best paired with the homemade tater tots). Keep the good times flowing in Reno’s Brewery District.

Reno Tahoe’s casino resorts are a great idea for food to please all—restaurants range from Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips (Caesar’s Reno) to Rim Asian Bistro and Chikie’s & Pete’s (Grand Sierra Resort).

Reno Tahoe’s Food & Drink Culture

Oh, the Places You’ll Snow and Hike!

Winter in Reno Tahoe goes way beyond the premier downhill ski scene (though if that’s your jam, Reno makes an ideal basecamp—slopes are about 30 minutes away).

Reno Tahoe has plenty of local parks for a slower pace where nature does the talking: rustling trees, the Truckee River flowing, birdsong, and mountains on the horizon. Just minutes from downtown, Galena Creek Regional Park has miles of easygoing, dog-friendly trails, including the namesake Galena Creek Trail—gorgeous year-round.

There’s also the locals’ favorite Tom Cooke Trail, a standout for sunset, where you can watch golden hour sweep across the Sierra while Reno’s downtown flickers to life in technicolor casino lights.

Gliding in gorgeous settings is another Reno Tahoe staple, thanks to outdoor ice rinks at resorts across the region. Grand Sierra Resort’s rink offers skate and fire pit rentals (s’mores optional). Celebrate the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics with a skate beneath Olympic Valley’s six peaks at Everline Resort & Spa, twinkling with warm, winking lights.

As for après: outdoor firepit hangs and cozy indoor hideaways are too good to skip. In downtown Reno, stroll the bars and restaurants along the Reno Riverwalk. If your idea of a “good library” means a wall of world wines, head to The Lodge Bar & Patio and grab a fireside seat next to their impressive collection of swirls and sips from across the globe. Toast the views of the Sierra—including Mt. Rose—and find your favorite après in Reno Tahoe.